When did it become December? The year 2017 has flown by and now we are approaching festival lineup season once again. Some big ones have actually already come out including Okeechobee Fest, Hangout Festival, Mad Cool and others. If you are a festival fan this is one of the most exciting times of the year and it's about to get even more fun come January when a lot of the big US festivals announce including Governors Ball, Bonnaroo, and of course Coachella.

I absolutely love Coachella. Every year I go to more and more festivals and become more resolute that it is the best festival in the US. No it's not perfect, but no festival is and it's pretty damn close. Like any Coachella fanboy I love predicting and taking stabs at who will be on the lineup before Coachella releases it's lineup. We actually have kept a running track of who we know is out for Coachella 2018 and even guessed headliners way back in May. This is our final predictions, updated reflecting what we know about tours, artists playing other festivals and any other pertinent information. Without further ado, our official Coachella 2018 predictions.

Coachella 2018 Headliners

Coachella Headliner #1 - Nine Inch Nails

Why I Picked Them

I predicted Nine Inch Nails back in May and I am not wavering on it, and have no reason to do so. Coachella always has at least one rock headliner and I think Nine Inch Nails will be it for Coachella 2018. As of today (12/1/2017) Nine Inch Nails has three shows, and they are all in 2017. They have no conflicting tour and have played other Goldenvoice festivals and venues throughout the year. While that by no means guarantees you will be at Coachella, it definitely makes me suspicious. Kendrick Lamar headlined FYF Fest in 2016 and headlined Coachella 2017. I expect the same to happen for Nine Inch Nails after headlining FYF Fest in 2017. I think they fit as well as a stark contrast to Beyonce: ultimately Coachella needs to appeal to a wide audience and this would play to the exact opposite crowd of the Beyhive.

Other Acts I Considered

As I mentioned, there is going to be a rock headliner to balance out the lineup. The main other acts I considered for thie spot were:

Smashing Pumpkins - A lot of talk about them headlining some festivals in 2018. I could easily see them as the Friday headliner, but the fact that NIN headlined other Goldenvoice festivals made me put them in over the Pumpkins

Pearl Jam - Apparently touring in 2018 as they just announce a bunch of shows, including Lollapalooza South America shows. I see them playing Live Nation fests this year and missing Coachella, but they'd be an awesome option for Friday as well. Honestly any of these three would make me extremely happy.

Depeche Mode - Fits the older, legacy act trend Coachella had been doing on Fridays. They also have a huge tour gap from the end of March to June, which always makes me a bit suspicious. Ultimately I just see more of a pure rock act for Friday so I didn't go with Depeche Mode for Coachella 2018.

Arctic Monkeys - A lot of talk about them having a new album for 2018 and headlining many festivals. I debated with this a long time but I still see them subheadlining and not quite at a headliner level. I love them so if they were on top of the poster I would be fine with it, but I don't quite see it yet

Coachella 2018 Headliner #2 - Gorillaz

Why I Picked Them

I'm sticking to my original prediction for both headliners. I was really tempted to change this, but I'd be too mad at myself if it ended up being Gorillaz and I changed my prediction last minute. A lot of things I like about Gorillaz chances: they haven't headlined Coachella since 2010, so it's definitely been long enough. They have been playing festivals throughout 2017 and look to be continuing their tour well into 2018. Currently they have announced shows through July, with a big, Coachella sized gap from the end of March to June. They have mainly been playing Live Nation festivals and I think it's time Goldenvoice snags them. Ultimately they aren't going to headline Coachella 2019, so if they want to get Gorillaz on this tour cycle in needs to be now. It could be argued they wouldn't headline Coachella at this point given they were 5th on the ACL festival poster, but I still think they could get the Sunday spot at Coachella. As someone who has seen them at both ACL and Outside Lands I can say they are on top of their game for live shows and it would be a treat to see them at Coachella 2018.

Other Acts I considered

This spot I see a lot of acts as options for Coachella 2018, including:

The Weeknd - If you read the Coachella Reddit you could pencil in The Weeknd for Coachella 2018; they are convinced he will be headlining. I don't see it with Beyonce already taking the Saturday headlining spot - it's just too similar. Now there is an argument to be made that Coachella has had headliners with crossover appeal before when they have had two rock headliners, so it could happen with two R&B/Pop headliners. I don't see it still.

Eminem - If I am wrong I am hoping it's because Eminem is headlining Coachella 2018. He has never headlined, which is just bazaar to me. He has a new album coming out in a couple of weeks, so if there ever were a time for Shady to headline Coachella it would be 2018. I really think this could happen finally, but ultimately I decided to go with my original prediction.

The Chainsmokers - Another band that the Internet believes could headline Coachella. I still maintain they would subheadline at best, but you should be warned this depressing option is in the mix.

Chance The Rapper - He basically headlined every festival in 2017, so Coachella in 2018 could be in play. He has three LA shows after November so I just don't see it personally, but when it comes to festival headliners no one is more of a festival whore lately than Chance.

Kanye - Wishful thinking, but if Kanye is sane again he is always in the mix to headline

Coachella 2018 2nd & 3rd Liners

I am just going to rally off a bunch of acts that will fall somewhere on the 2nd or third line of Coachella 2018 if they are on the billing. Predicting exact spots is both useless and pretty impossible so I am just going to lump all of these acts into this section. For the record, Coachella 2017 had 38 artists between the second and third line. So I will list a similar amount of artists I am predicting for Coachella 2018 and try to follow a similar breakdown of genre. Here we go!

Coachella 2018 2nd/3rd Liners - Rock / Indie / Alternative

Arctic Monkeys - Arguably a headliner, but I think Coachella can still snag them as a subheadliner in 2018

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Back on the scene! They have played other Goldenvoice shows, done Coachella in the past and are set to be playing festivals this summer.

The National - Went back and forth on them given they have a LA date in January but I say they're in and likely subheadlining or 3rd on their day

Portugal. The Man - Red hot right now and fast moving up festivals; I was blown away by how big their crowd had gotten at Austin City Limits last year. Fully confident they will be at Coachella 2018.

Fleet Foxes - When you put out an album once every six years you have to play Coachella when it's touring time

Vance Joy - Another one who has gotten amazingly popular so quickly, but that's to be expected when you tour with Taylor Swift I suppose

Broken Social Scene - So much fun live, will be a treat at the Polo Grounds

HAIM - Coachella favorites and still promoting their latest album

The War On Drugs - His latest album is absolutely fantastic and it would be a shame if Coachella didn't snag these guys

Grizzly Bear - Another band with a fantastic new album that should be fun at Coachella 2018

Royal Blood

Bleachers

Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile

Foster The People

Wolf Alice - Not sure if they'd sneak onto the 3rd line but I think they squeeze in

Coachella 2018 2nd/3rd Liners - Hip Hop / R&B

Logic - Playing Hangout Fest, another Goldenvoice festival so expect him to snag Coachella as well

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals - Also playing Hangout and skipped Coachella last year, expect him to be back

2 Chainz - Rumored to be on a lot of festival posters in 2018

Miguel - Pretty clearly playing Coachella with a newly announce tour, no Los Angeles date, a gap for both Coachella weekends and playing shows in California and Arizona around Coachella dates

A$AP Mob

Lil Pump

Young Thug

Tyler The Creator

Chromeo

SZA

Coachella 2018 2nd/3rd Liners - EDM

The Chainsmokers - Headlining Hangout, but not quite big enough to headline Coachella. Expect them to subheadline one day at Coachella 2018.

Kygo - Coachella sized gap in his recently announced tour promoting his new album. I thought he'd be at Coachella last year, but it seems like 2018 will be the year

Above & Beyond - Some wishful thinking but could see them closing out the Outdoor stage similar to Zedd a couple Coachella's ago

Odesza - Played a bunch of Goldenvoice venues (including Hangout), pretty confident they will be at Coachella 2018

Gorgon City - Last played Coachella in 2015, and lately it seems like a lot of artists come back every 3 years

Galantis - Big tour gap from February to April and playing other Goldenvoice festivals

Fever Ray

Eric Prydz

Illenium

Coachella 2018 2nd/3rd Liners - Pop & Others

Jamiroquai - According to Reddit sources he is confirmed to definitely be there

Sylvan Esso - Haven't played Coachella in a few years and their new album is outstanding

Leon Bridges

Solange

Other Artists I Expect at Coachella 2018

If you only go to Coachella for the top lines you are really missing out on the beauty of the festival. My favorite time at Coachella is early in the day when you can get right to the front of any of the tents because most people don't get there until 2 or 3 in the afternoon. I absolutely love the lower lines and it's usually what makes or breaks Coachella for me. Here's some love for the tiny fonts with who I expect to see at Coachella 2018 and who I think you should be checking out:

Mondo Cozmo - Absolutely love this guy. His live show is absolutely fantastic every time and I saw him half a dozen times last year. He's coming off a big year so I expect him to be at Coachella 2018.

Barns Courtney - Great, young rock artist with a ton of energy and stage presence

Frenshp - Fun live act with a cool electro/indie feel

Ella Vos

Declan McKenna

Alvvways

(Sandy) G Alex

Rag n' Bone Man

Joyce Manor

Coachella 2018 Summary

There's my official predictions, soon we will see how accurate I am. Feel free to share your thoughts and who you think or would like to be at Coachella 2018. After just one more agonizing month we can all stop guessing and begin making our research playlists!